Safe socialising for older teens

Dr Asha Pemberton

Teenhealth.tt@gmail.com

Major examinations have ended and the final days of the academic year have passed. On to the long months of the July-August vacation in our post-pandemic world. Young people in our communities will collectively feel relief and exhilaration now that these major milestones have passed. Added to that, the anticipation of spending time with friends at parties, limes and social activities after years of social restriction. It is a normal developmental expectation that older adolescent and young adults will want to ‘go out’. That said, it is important that parents engage them in conversations regarding safety, access and experimentation with drugs and general behaviour. In particular, parents need to be mindful of the exposure and access to alcohol in our communities and the phenomenon of binge drinking. As defined, binge drinking refers to a single episode in which a female consumes four or more drinks or a male, five or more drinks. Although this gendered definition has been the standard, in young people the important concept is the consumption of several drinks in one sitting. The total volume consumed is of importance.

Culturally, we sing, dance and are constantly exposed to music and images of drinking, being drunk and having “fun.” We find humour in inebriation and almost respect those who are able to tolerate excessive amounts of alcohol while seemingly being able to behave normally. These are truly dangerous concepts. Excessive alcohol intake in adolescence can negatively influence lives in the immediate, medium and long term. Alcohol impairs judgment causing young people to do inappropriate and often regretted things. Impaired judgment leads to risky behaviours, car accidents and sexual promiscuity; and also renders young people vulnerable to assault or abuse.

While many young people do not acknowledge or pay attention to the many potential problems associated with binge drinking, parents are required to have these difficult conversations and remain vigilant. The earlier a person starts the habit of excessive drinking, the younger they may experience any one of many potentially life-altering disorders. The teen brain is in development and the effects of chronic and excessive amounts of alcohol, literally change the architecture and functioning of the brain.

Alcohol can lead to the onset of mental health concerns, or worsen ongoing mood disorders, difficulty with memory, concentration and co-ordination and damage internal organs including the liver, heart and kidneys. Quite literally, alcohol abuse destroys the entire body.

Parenting approaches

Parents have a significant role to play in preventing alcohol misuse in adolescence.

• Model appropriate behaviour. Parents who drink heavily create an environment in which alcohol use is normalised. Young people learn more from what they see as compared to what they are told. Parents must be mindful of their own alcohol use.

• Have conversations. Although uncomfortable, discussions about drinking, types of drinks and the myths surrounding drinking must be clarified by parents. Set rules and expectations.

• Supervision. This becomes more challenging as adolescents age, but parents need to keep a watchful eye over their young people to detect the signs of inebriation or chronic alcohol use. Episodes of stupor, vomiting and other signs of excessive drinking should not be met with laughter or jokes. Take the time to calmly discuss the health and safety challenges of binge drinking and empower young people to make different decisions despite peer pressure.

• Safety. Regardless of your feelings towards drinking and alcohol, if your teen drives or will be driven by friends be sure to secure a safety plan with them. Reassure them that you will collect them from a fete or event if they or their friends have been drinking. It is simply unsafe to drive after drinking; and young people need to feel secure that it is a better option to call for help rather than taking a chance. Likewise, if young people feel out of control, they need to be able to safely call for help or rescue. Parents ideally should be able to fulfil this role but can only do so from a foundation of open conversation and understanding of adolescent thinking and behaviour.